May is synonymous with the annual programme in Malacca in the memory of Baba Sohan Singh, a respected granthi and Sikh missionary.

This is especially true for Sikhs in Malaysia, and to some extent, in Singapore and Indonesia. Malaysians who call Canada are equally plugged in here.

On May 31, they held a jordmela at Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. This is the 12th year the local community has come together to remember and celebrate the contribution of Baba Sohan who passed away 43 years ago.

The annual programme at Gurdwara Sahib Malacca and neighbouring the Sant Sohan Singh Ji Melaka Memorial Society Malaysia headquarters, both in Malacca, took place on May 21-24.

Sewadar Santokh Singh said planning for the annual event begins in January.

“In following Sant Ji’s selfless and charitable ways, the sanggat contributes generously and each year we channel funds towards a worthy cause,” he tells Asia Samachar.

He feels this is a great opportunity for the community to socialise and reflect on their encounters with Baba Sohan.

Another sewadar, Paramjeet Kaur, expressed her sadness of not being there in Malacca. “So, this is an excellent way for us not to miss out on the occasion.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara committee president Paramjeet Singh conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the Malaysian and Singaporean sanggat for their constant support.

“We are very grateful for their generosity towards the construction and betterment of the Gurdwara. The Gurdwara is being run by the Guru Tegh Bahadur Welfare Society,” he said.

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

2 COMMENTS

Dear Jarnail Singh. Thanks for the feedback. Baba Sohan Singh’s name was mentioned in full in the story, though not in the headline. Do we have to use it in full in the headline as well? We suppose this is something we can look into. Each media outfit is usually dictated by their own house style – i.e. the rule book that guides how they report and write things. Something to mull over for us and other media groups.

I think its important to remember to include SINGH/KAUR in our names. A Non-sikh site/media may be excused for “Baba Sohan”..but certainly NOT a Sikh run Media like Asia Samachar. I was shocked to read the title and also in the main body Sohan SINGH ji being referred to simply as Baba Sohan”…

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Asia Samachar is an independent news portal for Sikhs in Southeast Asia. We are present in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. We also have also reported on Myanmar, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.